The Tea Party has ‘lots of Black Friends’

Whether he likes it or not, Sen. Scott is becoming a national mascot for the efforts of Tea Party Republicans to whitewash the movement’s glaring racism. The dilemma he faces may be unique to black political figures, but as the Republican Party becomes more and more an engine for white nationalism, that burden spreads more broadly to all conservatives, regardless of race.

The credibility problem faced by black conservatives is becoming a dangerous threat to conservatism at large. If Sen. Scott is a token set up to distract us all from the GOP’s racism, then what is Karl Rove? At what point should Rove face the same duty to speak about racism that we justly place on Sen. Scott’s shoulders?